The Contact of a Compliant Curved and a Nominally Flat Rough Surfaces

The contact problem of a compliant curved beam loaded by a rigid flat surface is analyzed. This problem is typical of compliant metallic configured seals and electrical connectors. Both the elastic deformation of the curved beam and elastic-plastic deformation of the asperities are considered. A model for calculating the contact parameters like minimum separation, contact length and real area of contact is developed. The effect of the applied load as well as the plasticity index and other geometrical variables on the various contact parameters is investigated. It is shown that, contrary to common intuition, smaller radius of curvature is beneficial for both the sealing and electrical connector applications.